Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 78 | 29 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 89% | 83 | 134 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 95% | 90 | 4 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 9 reviews sampled · 11 total reviews in window · weighted 4.2 up / 0.2 down · computed 10h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (26)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 90
“Despite us making numerous comparisons to the Super Nintendo game, Pocky & Rocky: Reshrined is, for the vast majority, a completely new entry in the series. And that's worth celebrating for several reasons. Tengo Project, well aware of the original's pedigree, was smart enough to only use it as inspiration, rather than attempt to follow its lead beat-for-beat. Within this modern framework, the developer has constructed a thrilling tapestry of light, colour, and action-packed junctures for hardcore gamers to get their teeth into. Is it better than Natsume's venerable 1992 outing? No, but it's about on par, albeit for slightly different reasons. Pocky & Rocky: Reshrined is a blessing, a gorgeous-looking, delightfully artful new interpretation of a much-loved classic, and a noteworthy example of what can be achieved, creatively, with the 2D medium. If you're even mildly into the application of old-school gaming disciplines, it should be snapped up without a second thought.”
read full review ↗ - 67
“Coming to the Reshrined experience without any dog in the fight, Pocky & Rocky is an SNES classic I've heard quite a bit about but haven't experienced for myself...”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Despite a few questionable design choices, Pocky & Rocky Reshrined delivers a thrilling and satisfying experience. The blend of nostalgia and modern polish makes every stage a visual and mechanical extravaganza. New characters and stages keep replays fresh, while the core gameplay loop of dodging, shooting, and surviving remains as addictive as ever. It’s not quite as refined as it could be, and the difficulty spikes and locked modes may alienate newcomers. However, for those who relish a challenge and adore retro shooters with a unique cultural twist, this is a worthy revival of a beloved classic.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Pocky & Rocky Reshrined's ability to seamlessly segue from what seems like a simple remaster into a full-blown remake is brave, and it does it beautifully, too. This looks and sounds like you remember the Super Nintendo release, but is bursting with vibrant flourishes that elevate it beyond mere nostalgia. For purists, it'll no doubt be perfect, but newcomers may scoff at the archaic control scheme, which purposefully limits your capabilities and leads to significant pain.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“There's certainly nothing wrong with the gameplay, which remains just as enjoyable now as it did almost 30 years ago, but Reshrined feels like a missed opportunity to add in new elements or mechanics. While the inclusion of an online leaderboard is welcome, the lengthy, poorly-localized cutscenes are not. If you go in not expecting anymore more than what the Super Nintendo games did and can tolerate some odd design choices, then busting these ghosts might make you feel good. Otherwise, wait for a sale or light some incense in hopes that one of the original Pocky & Rocky games shows up on NSO.”
read full review ↗ - 78
“"Pocky & Rocky Reshrined" is an indication of the series' successful revival. Delicately drawn characters and stages are more than enough to introduce a charming world of pixel art for those who are familiar with latest video games, As well as giving nostalgic memories for the fans of original game. However, the fact that no big changes were made from 28 years old original work and short playtime are a bit shameful.”
read full review ↗ - 89
“Anyone looking for an arcade-style cooperative game definitely needs to check out Pocky & Rocky Reshrined.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Pocky and Rocky Reshrined is a gorgeous run-and-gun shooter, lovingly and faithfully reimagined. It’s just as much fun as it was back in the nineties, but little in the way of extra content and decidedly old-school controls hold it back from greatness.”
read full review ↗ - 80
- 70
“Still, as a solo experience, and as an overall package? Reshrined still manages to be incredibly fun, and while I’ll never get why Natsume-Atari insists on making the multiplayer experiences as inaccessible as possible, the core gameplay loop is still outstanding enough that I can at least recommend this for a solo playthrough or two, and especially for the sake of those online leaderboards. Once this game finally clicks, it’s a whole lot of fun, and I am relieved that I managed to get it to finally click once I spent a good amount of time on it solo.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Pocky & Rocky Reshrined successfully marries the charm of the original with contemporary gaming expectations. The dedication of the TENGO PROJECT shines through in every aspect, resulting in a game that feels both familiar and fresh. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer to the world of shrine maiden shooters, Reshrined is a delightful experience that stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic gaming.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Due to the graphic overhaul since its original SNES version, plus other multiple additions to its system has made this remake feel like a whole new original title. While it's unfortunate for not having online co-op, players will still be able to reminisce about the 16 bit era, with its solid shoot’em up gameplay, well enough to hone your skills to get better at it.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
Nindie Spotlight
Cubed3
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
INVEN
Forever Classic Games
FingerGuns
Games Freezer
Seafoam Gaming
Rectify Gaming
IGN…and 14 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Update1.0.1Mar 2, 2023